Top 32 Players In the NFL Draft
February 17th, 2011
Somebody's going to get a helluva manbeast with this guy
Here’s the first of several Commish’s Board rankings by draft guru Justin Pawlowski, the WDAE-AM 620 personality who serves up daily draft coverage here and at 620WDAE.com.All his JoeBucsFan.com draft stuff is archived here. So stick it in your favorites, or hurry up and catch up.
Pawlowski ranks the top 32 players in this year’s draft regardess of position. As always, the fun part with this will be to see how much things move around after the combine. It should be interesting.
Commish’s Board – By Justin Pawlowski
1. Nick Fairley – DT – Auburn
After dominating the National Championship game, Fairley secured his spot atop the Board.
2. Patrick Peterson – CB – LSU
Peterson’s blend of size and speed makes him a unique defensive back. Adds value in return game.
3. AJ Green – WR – Georgia
Could battle for top player in the draft, but there’s no doubt Green is the top offensive player.
4. Da’Quan Bowers – DE – Clemson
Big, physical, and relentless in getting after the QB. Bowers led the nation in sacks in 2010.
5. Robert Quinn – DE – North Carolina
With a great combine, Quinn could overtake Bowers as the top end available. Great pass rusher!
6. Von Miller – OLB – Texas A&M
Miller is probably the best pure pass rusher in the draft. Ideal fit as a 3-4 OLB.
7. Julio Jones – WR – Alabama
Jones is big, physical, and has great hands. Injuries are a concern, but he has the ability to dominate.
8. Marcell Dareus – DT – Alabama
Good fit as a tackle in a 4-3 or an end in a 3-4. Dareus has a nice stout frame with good strength to hold his own.
9. Prince Amukamara – CB – Nebraska
I really like Amukamara’s skill set in man coverage. His instincts are outstanding for a corner. Amukamara is the type of corner that allows you to bring extra pressure.
10. Aldon Smith – DE – Missouri
Smith is raw, but has the ability to be a great pass rusher. Can play in a 4-3 or a 3-4 defense. Smith is an incredible athlete while having a frame of 6’4’’ 260 lbs. Has the potential to see his stock shoot him into the top 10 on draft day.
11. Mark Ingram – RB – Alabama
Ingram is as solid as they come at the RB position. He has great vision, feel for his blockers, and burst thru the hole. Ingram can be relied on to carry an offense.
12. Cam Newton – QB – Auburn
One of the most intriguing athletes in this draft. Newton is big, strong, has a strong arm, has great mobility, and has dealt with adversity well. Plenty of questions surround Newton as a QB.
13. Blaine Gabbert – QB – Missouri
A better “QB” than Newton, but doesn’t have the extras that could make Newton special. These 2 are neck and neck at the QB position. I like Gabbert’s size and strong arm. Gabbert will be under a heavy microscope as teams try to pick his game apart.
14. Cameron Jordan – DE – Cal.
Jordan was dominant at the senior bowl week and really helped his stock. He can play end in a 4-3 or a 3-4. Jordan has more power than speed, but is a very balanced defensive end.
15. Tyron Smith – OT – USC
Not only is Smith the top tackle on the board, but he has the most potential. He played right tackle at USC, but can play the left side in the pros. Smith will need to bulk up a bit, but has the frame to do it easily.
16. Justin Houston – OLB – Georgia
Houston is a tremendous pass rusher whom I think will really open some eyes at the combine. He has great size (6’3’’ 260 lbs) with a nose for the QB. He can play end in a 4-3, but his best position might be as an OLB in a 3-4 defense.
17. JJ Watt – DE – Wisconsin
Watt is big and physical. At 6’6’’ and weighing in at 290 lbs, Watt is an ideal 5-technique in a 3-4 defense. Watt’s strength is his strength and playing multiple gaps.
18. Ryan Kerrigan – DE – Purdue
Kerrigan is everything you look for in a player. He was productive, a leader, a captain, he’s an extremely hard worker, and a very good pass rusher. Kerrigan’s not real flashy, but also doesn’t have many flaws.
19. Gabe Carimi – OT – Wisconsin
I like the physical presence Carimi brings to the offensive line. He could play left tackle, but might be better off at right tackle. For a team who likes the power run game, Carimi is for you!
20. Jonathon Baldwin – WR – Pitt
Baldwin’s name has been quiet early on in the draft process, but this guy is a hell of a receiver. At 6’5’’ and 230 lbs, Baldwin has the size, but he also has great speed to go with that size. Baldwin also does a good job of catching the ball with his hands away from his body.
21. Akeem Ayers – OLB – UCLA
Ayers is a long athlete with good size and athleticism. He was very productive at UCLA. Ayers can play in any type of defense in the NFL, but might fit a 3-4 defense a little better.
22. Brandon Harris – CB – Miami
Harris has a good blend of size with plenty of speed. I like Harris in man coverage and a candidate for a team that likes to blitz and bring extra pressure. Harris can be on an island and succeed.
23. Mikel Leshoure – RB – Illinois
Leshoure is a bigger back with power to burst thru a hole and excellent vision to find a hole.
24. Nate Solder – OT – Colorado
Solder had a very good week at the senior bowl. His height, 6’9’’, worries me because Solder tends to lose leverage.
25. Mike Pouncey – OG – Florida
Right now, I have Pouncey as the top guard in this draft. I do think Pouncey could be an excellent guard in the NFL once he moves away from the center position.
26. Corey Liuget – DT – Illinois
Liuget gets good penetration and disrupts opposing backfields. He has a decent first step. Liuget is a better fit for a 4-3 defense as a 3-technique.
27. Adrian Clayborn – DE – Iowa
Yes, I still have Clayborn in my top 32, but not by much. He’s got a lot of red flags waving, but could eliminate them with a good showing at the combine. Of course, that’s saying he works out at the combine.
28. Danny Watkins – OG – Baylor
I believe Watkins is the oldest prospect in the draft at 26 years old. He’s only played organized football for 4 years, but has developed into a guy with a ton of potential. He played tackle at Baylor, but projects to a very good guard in the pros.
29. Muhammed Wilkerson – DE/DT – Temple
Wilkerson’s flying under the radar, but his big frame (6’5’’ 305 lbs) will surely get the attention of the NFL. Wilkerson played end at Temple, but I like him as a 5-technique in a 3-4 or at DT in a 4-3 defense. Wilkerson has the frame to be massive.
30. Jimmy Smith – CB – Colorado
I love Smith’s size (6’2’’) at the CB position. He matches up well with bigger receivers and does a nice job in run support and tackling.
31. Anthony Castonzo – OT – Boston College
Some scouts have said that Castonzo might end up as the top left tackle in this class. A lack of strength is really hurting Castonzo and really hurt him at senior bowl week. Castonzo has good work ethic, so if a team is patient with him it might pay off.
32. Phil Taylor – DT – Baylor
I view Taylor as the top nose tackle in this class. He is big, mean, and physical. I know plenty of teams running the 3-4 defense that would love just that!
February 17th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Pretty good Top 32.
Only minor complaint is seeing Pouncey in there. I think a lot of people are over-rating him because of his brother. I see him as more of a 2nd/3rd round guy.
February 17th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
I have seen a lot of stuff on kerrigan and was not buying him as a DE.. though he was more of an OLB in a 3-4. I was thinking the Bucs should go after a bigger DE.
I am starting to change my mind. Goingafter a speedy edge rusher in round 1, grab Bruce Carter OLB in round 2, and a bigger DE in Greg Romeus in round 3.. plus add a DE in Free Agency (please)
February 17th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
Leshoure is going to drop faster than my manboobs after the combine.
February 17th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Either one is fine by me.
Justin Houston – OLB – Georgia
Houston is a tremendous pass rusher whom I think will really open some eyes at the combine. He has great size (6’3’’ 260 lbs) with a nose for the QB. He can play end in a 4-3, but his best position might be as an OLB in a 3-4 defense.
Akeem Ayers – OLB – UCLA
Ayers is a long athlete with good size and athleticism. He was very productive at UCLA. Ayers can play in any type of defense in the NFL, but might fit a 3-4 defense a little better.
February 17th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
I say draft what they think is the best DE available and hope you get it right. If so, the name doesn’t matter.
February 17th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
I really think we need to draft the best LB… forget DE until round 2.
Not since Derrick Brooks have we drafted a LB in round 1.
February 17th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Guest#27 .. Not sure it is the best theory .. Just because you draft a LB in the 1st round .. It will not make him Derrick Brooks
Especially a LB you mention like Akeen Ayers who has a knock for reacting slow and has poor-medium instincts
If you keep taking flyers on late round DE you end up with a pass-rush well … Like the Bucs have
February 17th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
jvato24 & Guest#27
Personally, I think the closest thing to Derrick Brooks is out there to be had in round TWO – Bruce Carter OLB UNC. He is the complete package. Can cover, hits, doesn’t miss tackles, is fast, plays sideline to sideline, etc…
The ONLY reason he is not going in round 1, and probably top 15 is he broke his leg very badly late in the season (bowl game I think).
I would love to see the Bucs grab him in round 2 and DE Greg Romeus Pitt in round 3 to go with a DE in round 1.
February 17th, 2011 at 4:29 pm
round 1: Justin Houston – OLB – Georgia or Akeem Ayers – OLB – UCLA
round 2: Bruce Carter OLB UNC
double up!!!
February 17th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
I love Baldwin, but the one MAJOR flaw that he has is route-running. That is one of the most important things to be a WR…
February 17th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
The Brooks selection didn’t cause any great celebration. He was considered undersized,
But I do remember Rich McKay falling off his chair when they were hoping for Warrick Dunn and another guy named Warrick was taken the pick before.
I also recall yelling at my t.v. for the bucs to take Sapp after had fallen, had a good feeling that one was gonna work out.
February 17th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Justin- again, Great stuff, well thought out and researched. Thanks!
Dave- like the way you think. Carter in the second is my great hope for LB. I think we can get Greg Romeus safely in the 4th. I want UM OLB Colin Montgomery in 3rd. Guy has wheels. I know Justin has major concerns about Clayborn. And they may be justified. But if the Bucs dont trade up out of the 20 spot, I still bet it’s Clayborn. He has some amazing traits, that you usually only see in great DEs. Think they believe Raheem is so good with young angry athletes that he can focus Adrian. They may be right. From all I’ve read, the guy is passionate about football!
February 17th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Its true Eric .. The chaos of draft day is special .. Its Football Christmas
February 17th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Could Aldon Smith be a slightly better version of Robert Ayers? More physical specimen than football player?
I keep seeing this years’ Matthews from Oregon going in the 5th-6th round. Huh? has it not been established that the Matthews spawn are just supreme football beings? If he’s there in round 3-4, draft him.
February 17th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
You can have either the 2nd/3rd best LB in the draft in round 1
or
the 5th/6th/7th best DE???
I’m going with better bang for the Bucs, pun intended 🙂
February 17th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Mayock said on a conference call today this will be one of the deepest 1st Round DE classes he has ever seen.
Would be a shame to miss out on that when next season is poised to have some Top Studs at LB in round 1. Especially MLB
February 17th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
But at the same time .. I agree we must address LB somewhere in the first 3 rounds .. Need to see film on Bruce Carter ..
If we get a LB he must be a contact player .. Akeem Ayers may be big but I have not seen many highlites of him lighting anybody up.
If we are going to go for a 1st RD LB, he better have some Jon Beason in him !!
February 17th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Aldon Smith doesn’t look like just a physical specimen to me. The guy is only “raw” because he’s leaving school so early. He’s only leaving school so early because he’s already so damn good as a sophomore that he doesn’t have to wait until his junior or senior year to be a potential top 10 pick. Go on youtube and watch Aldon Smith vs. Illinois and see the schooling he puts on the offensive guard at about 2:20. Jaw dropping. Smith doesn’t look like one of these guys(Gaines Adams R.I.P) who is just a speedy guy that can do nothing but run the edge. He has inside moves. He lines up a DT and rushes. If Smith stayed in school another year we would probably be talking about him being the #1 DE in next years draft.
February 17th, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Guest#27, the 5th, 6th, or 7th best DE in this draft class is better than the 2nd or 3rd best LB. Your draft strategy doesn’t hold much water since I’m sure the #1 Kicker and #1 Full Back will still be on the board.
February 17th, 2011 at 6:02 pm
“5th, 6th, or 7th best DE in this draft class is better than the 2nd or 3rd best LB.”
I call bullsh!t
February 17th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
You can go ahead and call bull sh!t all you want, it still doesn’t change the fact that it’s true.
February 17th, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Akeem Ayers isn’t nearly as special as you seem to think guest#27. From what I can see on film, he’s taller than normal LB’s, now I guess if that makes him special then maybe I’m wrong.
February 17th, 2011 at 6:33 pm
The linebackers are in fact as underwhelming as I have ever seen them. No true 4-3 linebackers with round 1 talent. Von Miller is strict 3-4. Akeem Ayers Ayers is a question mark. Is he really fast enough at his size to be an NFL SAM backer? Ayers probably only belongs in a 3-4 also.
Gottbucs is right. I would rather have someone like Houston or Kerrigan than Martez Wilson or Bruce Carter. At pick #20 those guys would be a reach. End of story. Maybe Wilson and Carter will be gone but close to that level of 4-3 linebacker talent can be had when the Bucs pick in the second round. Absolutely no need to reach for a guy like that at #20.
If there was a Rolando McClain in this draft I’d be down with going linebacker in round 1. Martez Wilson ain’t no Rolando McClain.
February 17th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
Don’t sweat Guest#27 gotbbucs. He is officially part of the retard triumvirate with Eric and Thomas. Don’t take anything he says even remotely seriously.
February 17th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
I can’t believe how high 3-4 Ends get ranked these days. Maybe I just wasn’t paying close enough attention before but I don’t recall 5-Techniques being viewed as Top 15 players a few years ago. Justin, maybe you can answer this but have they always been held in such high regard?
As far as the DE’s that I’m begining to like in this draft, I think Aldon Smith, Justin Houston, and Ryan Kerrigan all belong somewhere right around 10. Houston I think has the fastest first step followed closely by Kerrigan. Smith looks really smooth once he gets going but he doesn’t have that same first step as the other two. Houston and Kerrigan both have really active hands while they’re rushing which I really like to see. I think they both have a pretty good lean when they’re trying to run the horn and each guy has at leats one counter move off of their speed rush.
I don’t fully understand all the hype with Robert Quinn, maybe I just haven’t seen enough of him yet to fully judge. The last guy I have liked for quite a while is Adrian Clayborn 2009, the 2010 version had to have something wrong physically throughout the season because they look like two different players. I’ll be interested to hear if something comes out about whether or not he played with an injury.
February 17th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
Guest#27 .. 3 or 4 of the top DEs are 3-4 DEs that dont fit our system anyways .. So around 20 we should be able to get one of top 3 4-3 Edge rushers ..
You call Bullsh!t on us .. Mike Mayock calls it on you
February 17th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
If the Bucs are going to draft anyone out of UCLA it should be safety Rahim Moore to replace TJAX as the ballhawking free safety.
February 17th, 2011 at 9:22 pm
Eric Curry, Regan Upshaw, Gaines Adams (Rest in Peace good man).
That is an outstanding list of DEs that we have drafted in round 1.
Yeah, because DEs are guarantees in round 1. And you guys want to draft the 6th or 7th best at that position. Nuts.
February 17th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
Man, Dungy had all those first round draft picks! He even had Sam pick up Brooks and Sapp in round 1 the year before.
Poor Gruden had NO first round draft picks for years… And none before him.
http://www.databasefootball.com/draft/draftteam.htm?tm=TAM&lg=nfl
February 17th, 2011 at 9:49 pm
We hadn’t done real well drafting QB’s historically either, guest#27.
February 17th, 2011 at 10:06 pm
It’s a new day for drafting or finding players in the pirate Nation. Dominick and Raheem have proven to be excellent at assessing talent. There are a lot of great DEs in this class. I believe the Bucs have already decided on their man. I have faith in whoever they pick. I think they will take a Lil chance on DE, but will get a game changer( like Mike Williams/ Blount.). OLB is this this year. We’ll be tempted to draft one to soon, because our need for two is so high. To stop the run, we need new Wil And Sam backers. Hope we can get the two we need in 3rd or 4th round!. After those 3 needs are met, we can relax and pick talent more than need.
February 17th, 2011 at 10:08 pm
Keep talking Guest#27. Your showing just how ignorant you are of the state of this years draft.
February 17th, 2011 at 10:19 pm
Test… joe didn’t let me post.
February 17th, 2011 at 10:21 pm
I can’t even post what the heck i want… Christ Joe.
February 17th, 2011 at 10:23 pm
Here are all the STUD DE’s drafted since 2003 in round 1.
Tyson Jackson
Aaron Maybin
Brian Orakpo
Larry English
Chris Long
Derrick Harvey
Lawrence Jackson
Kentwan Balmer
Gaines Adams
Jamaal Anderson
Jarvis Moss
Mario Williams
Tamba Hali
Mathias Kiwanuka
Erasmus James
Marcus Spears
Luis Castillo
Will Smith
Kenechi Udeze
Kevin Williams
Ty Warren
Michael Haynes
Jerome McDougle
Calvin Pace
Tyler Brayton
February 17th, 2011 at 10:24 pm
Now look at the list of LB’s drafted since 2003 in round 1… it’s clearly obvious where the busts lie and where the STUDS are.
Aaron Curry
Brian Cushing
Robert Ayers
Clay Matthews
Vernon Gholston
Keith Rivers
Jerod Mayo
Patrick Willis
Lawrence Timmons
Jon Beason
Anthony Spencer
A.J. Hawk
Ernie Sims
Kamerion Wimbley
Chad Greenway
Bobby Carpenter
Manny Lawson
DeMarcus Ware
Shawne Merriman
Derrick Johnson
David Pollack
Jonathan Vilma
D.J. Williams
Jason Babin
Terrell Suggs
Nick Barnett
February 17th, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Clear as day. Draft LBs in round 1. Not only that, they last longer.
This list all the way back to Derrick Brooks proves that there are more sure fire hits than misses as compared to DEs.
From 2002 to Derrick Brooks.
Napoleon Harris
Robert Thomas
Dan Morgan
LaVar Arrington
Brian Urlacher
John Abraham
Julian Peterson
Rob Morris
Keith Bulluck
Chris Claiborne
Andy Katzenmoyer
Al Wilson
Keith Brooking
Takeo Spikes
Anthony Simmons
Brian Simmons
Peter Boulware
James Farrior
Reinard Wilson
Dwayne Rudd
Kevin Hardy
John Mobley
Duane Clemons
Reggie Brown
Ray Lewis
Mark Fields
Derrick Brooks
February 17th, 2011 at 10:30 pm
The first round Bust potential of DE’s is even more obvious than I could have ever imagined. Go see for yourself. Look through the history on NFL dot com.
February 17th, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Not the site I was looking for but they do a decent job looking at DE’s drafted early.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=kluck/ends/070425
LB or DE it doesn’t really matter. Since the draft is deep in DE’s that’s the direction we should go.
February 17th, 2011 at 11:11 pm
Lets look at the Steelers and the Packers… they have drafted a combined ZERO DE’s in the first round since 2002.
None!
The Packers, they draft LBs, an amazing THREE first round pick LBs since 2003 Clay Matthews, A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett.
The Steelers, here is there list of high drafted LBs…
Bruce Davis
Lawrence Timmons
LaMarr Woodley
Alonzo Jackson
The Bucs? Barrett Ruud in round 2, and you guys want him canned to be replaced by whom? Two 6th round draft picks Hayes and Hayward? Of an Undrafted LB.
I am perplexed about how this team has been underrating LBs for so long, while knowing full well that the next Buccaneer Hall of Famer will be Derrick Brooks. Derrick Brooks is perplexed! Shelton Quarles needs to step it up and let the organization know, that IT’s TIME TO DRAFT SOME LINE BACKERS with top draft picks.
February 17th, 2011 at 11:13 pm
I rest my case.
Joe, write an article about Busts and Hits regarding first round LBs to first round DE’s please.
Thanks,
Guest
February 17th, 2011 at 11:15 pm
Guest 27- quit clogging the board with your pointless and irrelevant little self serving list. I don’t care what list you generate. This class is deep in DEs. We need one, so we get one.I don’t give a damn if the Eagles drafted one that flopped in 1963.
By the way- the OLB I like in the 3rd round is UM OLB Colin McCarthy. iPhone spell check sucks, as it prints “tendencies”, and makes”corrections several lines behind where I’m typing- thus goes unnoticed.
Curious if Anyone else thinks Ryan Winterswyk has talent. He has good size, and may still be around in the 4th.
February 17th, 2011 at 11:21 pm
Jets
Vernon Gholston
Jonathan Vilma
John Abraham
James Farrior
Cowboys, who have a great LB core
Anthony Spencer
Bobby Carpenter
DeMarcus Ware
February 17th, 2011 at 11:30 pm
Lost comment, promise.
Since 2000, teams that have spent the most top 3 picks (rnd 1-3) on DE’s have been the following:
5 Arizona Cardinals
6 Buffalo Bills
5 Detroit Lions
5 Oakland Raiders
5 San Francisco 49ers
Hmmmm. wow.
February 17th, 2011 at 11:58 pm
I’m interested in the big CB out of Colorado Jimmy Smith. Some people have him rated much higher than Justin here does, and I’m wondering what his rational for the low rating is.
Whether it’s this year or next, we’re gonna draft a big name CB soon, might as well be a 6’2 guy that can run with Roddy White.
February 18th, 2011 at 12:07 am
Guest:
That’s Justin’s area of expertise.
February 18th, 2011 at 12:36 am
@Sam… great article from 2003…
My favorite part:
“Crunching the Numbers: First-Round LBs, 1989-2003
Number of LBs drafted: 48
Number of busts: 8
Bust percentage: 16 percent
Pro Bowl percentage: 39 percent”
Lowest of all, safest pick of all.
“Conclusions
Linebacker appears to be a safe position, generating lots of Pro Bowl appearances and very few busts.”
Look, I want the Bucs defense to do well more than anybody… well, now that i think about it, the only way to oust Rah would be for the D to do poorly… ok, change my mind, go ahead and draft the number 6 rated DE with pick #20. 🙂 I almost thought I cared for an evening there.
February 18th, 2011 at 2:19 am
@ Guest27,
I understand what you are saying, but there arent any 4-3 LBs worth taking at the 20 spot. Ayers is the only one, but what your long list neglects to consider is that the biggest reason most LBs do well is because of instincts. Ayers has poor instincts which is a huge flaw in his game. I think we should wait until round 2 and draft B Carter because, while he may not be the physical speciman Ayers is, he has great instincts and nose for the football.
February 18th, 2011 at 3:22 am
I have only one list and its short.
Biggest idiots on JBF.com
1. Thomas
2. Eric
3. Guest#27
Keep posting your cool lists and your stock could rise Guest#27. #1 isn’t out of reach for you.
February 18th, 2011 at 3:24 am
Guest#27, what the hell was all that listing supposed to prove? All it is is a hodge podge of 4-3 DE’s, 3-4 DE’s, and 3-4 OLB/DE’s in each list. I don’t give a rats fat ass about all of your history lessons regarding the draft. Every year is different. This is just plain and simple a horrible year to get impact 4-3 LB’s, especially in the 1st round. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that. THERE ARE NO 4-3 LB’S WORTH TAKING WITH THE 20TH PICK THIS YEAR.
February 18th, 2011 at 3:25 am
Guest27- quit clogging the board. There aren’t any OLBs or TEs in this draft wOrth drafting in the first round, other that Von MIller and one or two others. All of your list don’t change that, and are makIng it hard to read post by the informed draft fans here- what, are you 10 years old? To keep posting the same crap over and over?
February 18th, 2011 at 3:39 am
Jaime, from what I can see on Jimmy Smith is that he is an absolute blanket in coverage. WR’s don’t ever get more than a couple feet away from him when he’s in man to man. But when it comes to run support he looks the exact opposite. Sometimes it looks like he’s running away from contact and he doesn’t try one bit to get off blocks. It almost looks like he uses WR’s shaddow blocking him as an excuse to not get in on the play.
Bottom line though is that he’s ridiculously could in coverage and I guess that’s the main reason why you draft a CB high, just not sure if Raheem’s gonna like a guy that hates contact that much.
I’d probably put him closer to #20 than what Justin has him but I think it’s just a matter of taste and what kind of defensive schemes the teams play that are picking.
February 18th, 2011 at 3:43 am
Guest27…
U fail to differentiate 4-3 LBs from 3-4 LBs, knowing that each has different responsibilities and skillsets. You also have to take into account a teams need for a particular position at the time of that draft. But that’s not even my problem with u…
Bobby Carpenter…did u really mention Bobby Carpenter underneath something that said “great LB”???? The same Bobby Carpenter who was cut by the Cowboys for not only being ineffective on defense, but special teams as well? The same Bobby Carpenter who has played for 2 or 3 teams since then (and still has yet to make a single notable play) ?? Is that the Bobby Carpenter u refer to as great??
U sir, are an idiot, and u probably should refrain from posting ever again.
February 18th, 2011 at 10:39 am
They are all first round picks… hit or miss, all 1st round picks for DE and LB since 2003.
Go see for yourself on NFL dot com draft history, filter by position.
Read people, read!
February 18th, 2011 at 11:10 am
Perhaps facts get in the way of agenda?
February 18th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
Guest #27 is right. All the professional scouts and draftniks that have these DE’s ranked ahead of all the 4-3 linebackers are wrong. Don’t you get it guys? Guest#27 knows things the rest of the world doesn’t. He is bringing the next evolution of draft strategy to the world. Soon all teams will follow Guest#27’s lead and the first round of the draft every year will be all linebackers. Either that or they will follow that other messiah of drafting Jo-mama and draft nothing but tight ends in the first round. Guest#27 is so right. First round defensive ends are always busts. So you have to draft your defensive ends in round 7 because thats where all the good ones are. Didn’t Erik Lorig teach you people anything? When will you people learn? It doesn’t matter how much talent the linebackers in this years draft actually have- Bruce Carter should be drafted over DaQuan Bowers because Guest#27 has a list and a list is proof. DON”T YOU GET IT FOLKS??? IF IT’S A LIST IT MUST BE TRUE!!!!
February 18th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
The list is all 1st round picks of DEs since 2003.
The 2nd list is all LB’s drafted in the 1st since 2003.
Go see for yourself on NFL dot com, Draft History, filter by position.
1st round LB’s are surefire safe picks, make more pro-bowls than DE’s… these are facts you got damn moron.
February 18th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
By the way Guest#27- Your lists are all B.S. and prove your ignorance of football.
Demarcus Ware- a defensive end who was converted to OLB but still rushes from a 3 point stance as a defensive end all the time in the Cowboys hybrid 3-4/4-3
Terrell Suggs- college DEFENSIVE END converted to hybrid OLB\DE but spends MORE TIME playing as a 3 point stance defensive end in the Ravens hybrid scheme
Jason Babin- never played linebacker and had 12.5 sacks this year as a DEFENSIVE END
Vernon Gholston- defensive end- a crappy one but helps prove your lists are all screwed up
John Abraham- ARE SERIOUSLY UNAWARE THAT JOHN ABRAHAM IS A DEFENSIVE END?????? REALLY????
There are more errors but Im not going to go through every one. Clearly you are unaware who is a linebacker, who is a defensive end, and who is a college DE converted to a hybrid OLB\DE in the NFL.
It suffices to say that you have no clue what you are talking about.
When you fix the lists to appropriately read who is a DE, who is a 3-4 pass rushing OLB, and who is a 4-3 linebacker- it becomes clear that, in fact, there have been PLENTY of stud pass rushers drafted in the first round(this would include 4-3 DE and 3-4 OLB\DE hybrids)
Have a clue what you are talking about before you post.
February 18th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Guest#27- Im sorry but I have to amend my list of biggest idiots on JBF.com
1. Guest#27
2. Thomas
3. Eric
Congrats buddy- Your horribly inaccurate and meaningless lists have shot your stock through the roof!!!! Eric and Thomas are going to have to step up their game to keep up with the likes of you.
February 18th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
The NFL.com lists the guys as DE’s or LB’s… plain and simple. Go argue with the NFL.com stat staff.
February 18th, 2011 at 5:02 pm
God your stupid. Look again buddy. John Abraham, Jason Babin, Vernon Gholston all listed on NFL.com as DEFENSIVE ENDS. All guys you put in your linebacker lists. The fact that you don’t know that John Abraham is a defensive end is all I need to know to tell me you have almost zero football knowledge. Everyone knows who John Abraham is. He’s one of the most famous defensive ends in the league and HE PLAYS FOR OUR DIVISION RIVALS!!!! Do you know who Julius Peppers is? Do you think he’s a linebacker too? And like I also said before a bunch of the guys you listed as linebackers are only linebackers in a 3-4 scheme. Guys like Suggs, Ware, and Woodley were all defensive ends in college and would all be defensive ends in the Bucs base 4-3 defense.
The Bucs may very well draft an outside linebacker in the first round. Justin Houston is technically listed as an 3-4 outside linebacker but lines up just as often at defensive end in a 4 man front for Georgia’s hybrid defense. For the Bucs he would play defensive end in their base defense and then stand up as an OLB in their 3-3-5 and 3-4 packages.
You are talking about the Bucs drafting a 4-3 linebacker and guys like Martez Wilson, Bruce Carter, and Greg Jones aren’t anywhere near guys like Aldon Smith, Justin Houston and Ryan Kerrigan on anyones boards right now. Except for yours apparently. All hail Guest#27- the next Mel Kiper.
February 19th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Camby,
I know it’s late to the party today, but I like Casey Matthews too, and I don’t know if I’d wait too long to snag him. I think Greenbay might take him too because of the bloodline you mention. I also think the Steelers may move up if necessary to take Pouncy 2. Bruce Carter is one specimen I want to see at the combine.